By Lewis Rutledge

Taylor has been largely kept out of the Villa side by Sorensen since joining from Arsenal in June 2005, and when the Dane was ruled out of action through injury before Christmas he was also struck down by a knee problem.

Sorensen insists he can understand the frustration Taylor must feel, having played second fiddle to Peter Schmeichel for many years at international level.

"Of course I have sympathy for Stuart Taylor. I am not just a goalkeeper, I am a person as well," said Sorensen.

"I know what it feels like, being a substitute goalkeeper. It happened with me for Denmark.

"Stuart and I talk about it a lot. He said to me, 'you play well and there is nothing I can do about it'. He wants to play and I understand that.

"At the end of the day, we respect each other. If I am in goal, he backs me up. If he is in goal, I back him up."

Sorensen is proud of the consistency he has shown since moving from Sunderland, but credits the healthy competition Taylor provides for his performances.

"A club of this size, at this level, should have two good goalkeepers with experience and ability and we need that. I need that.

"Without competition, you don't get any better. You need to know that, if you're not playing well, there is somewhere there who is good enough to take your place.

"I like that competition and that is probably why, season in and season out, I keep playing well. You are in this game to play every week.

"I have been fortunate to have been good enough, and lucky enough, to have stayed in goal under different managers."